Manchester has long been one of the UK’s most exciting cities for business, and 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for growth and expansion. Deloitte’s 2025 Crane Survey revealed that Manchester continues to lead all regional cities in crane count, with the skyline remaining as active and ambitious as ever. That construction boom reflects more than just buildings going up — it’s a clear indicator of the city’s thriving investment in infrastructure, people, and innovation.

Major businesses are taking note. BT has opened a new multi-million-pound office in the heart of the city at Four New Bailey, a hub that will bring together up to 2,000 employees across the BT Group. The Manchester site is part of BT’s national “Better Workplace” strategy, which consolidates nearly 300 offices into 30 high-performing locations — putting Manchester firmly on the map as one of their most strategic bases.

And they’re not the only ones moving in. Auto Trader has taken over more than seven floors at the Circle Square development. Law firm Holden Smith has launched its first Manchester office at 111 Piccadilly. Meanwhile, companies like Sancus Lending and even international food giant Popeyes have included Manchester in their UK expansion plans for 2025, drawn in by the region’s growing reputation for talent, connectivity, and commercial opportunity. 

The city’s infrastructure is evolving just as quickly. New developments like Square Gardens (£400 million co-living space), the Viadux skyscraper complex, and high-profile mixed-use projects such as Gary Neville’s St. Michael’s are transforming the way businesses and people live and work in the city centre. These aren’t just vanity builds — they’re responses to real demand from companies eager to call Manchester home.

Backing it all up is hard data. The Greater Manchester economy is forecast to grow at 2.1% GVA annually through to 2028 — the strongest growth of any UK core city. Population growth is on the rise too, with the metro area set to reach 2.833 million this year, up 0.75% from 2024. That means more talent, more customers, and more opportunity.

If your business is considering expanding to Manchester, now is the time. Whether you're opening a new office, scaling a team, or exploring the tech ecosystem, we can help. From talent solutions to market insights, we’re plugged into the people and the progress driving Manchester forward. 

Get in touch to find out how we can support your next move.